National Pollinator Week is June 17-23

June 19, 2013

Des Moines- When it comes to pollinators, Iowa's farmers are creating habitat to boost their populations and harness these critters' value. With National Pollinator Week beginning today, USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service and is using the opportunity to promote pollinators, like bees and butterflies.

Pollinators provide crucial assistance to fruit, vegetable and seed crops, but many species are seeing their numbers fall.

Agricultural producers across the nation work with NRCS to create ideal habitat for pollinators and increase populations in simple and significant ways.

These conservation activities, or practices, are just three of 37 that NRCS offers through the Farm Bill to help producers create the perfect places for pollinators to forage and take shelter.

More than three-fourths of the world's flowering plants rely on pollinators to reproduce, equating to one of every three bites of food people eat. Many plants would be unable to reproduce without the help of pollinators.

Scientists attribute a number of factors, including habitat loss, disease, parasites and overuse of pesticides for pollinators' peril. Agencies and partners across the country are working on science-based solutions to support pollinators. Each June, NRCS and conservation partners salute pollinators during "National Pollinator Week," June 17-23. Learn more: www.nrcs.usda.gov/pollinators.